Judging by online reader suggestions on improving recreational use of the Rose Bowl loop, there should be plenty of frank and open comments when the city’s plans go on view July28 – they’re setting up tents at Brookside and Parking LotK from 5-7 p.m.

Reader Anthony Ruiz called to say he’s circled the 3.3-mile loop about four times a week for 10 years but has never seen anyone address a “consistent” problem.

“Joggers drop their car keys – somehow we find a lot,” Ruiz said. “The people I walk with started leaving them at Brookside (Golf Course) clubhouse, but I don’t know if anyone knows what we do.”

Ruiz wants to “get organized” and have a recognized drop-off spot, maybe a basket somewhere with a sign.

“People hang them on the fence and you see people running around looking for keys – whoever’s interested could solve that little problem…”

Brenda Rees at Descanso Gardens sends word that the La Ca ada Flintridge institution just became a “potential new home for a winged resident: a rehabilitated wood duck.”

Found in Malibu about five months ago, the “handsome male wood duck had suffered injuries to his lower bill which needed be to surgically re-paired,” Rees wrote. Volunteers from the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro tended the duck for about four months.

It was decided the pond at Descanso was an ideal place to release the rehabilitated bird, Rees wrote.

“The door opened and the duck flew out of the carrier in a flash – except he was pointing in the opposite direction to the pond. Over the Rose Garden and Coast live oaks trees, the duck vanished into the thicket.”

Descanso volunteer and Audubon Society member Dave Weeshoff was philosophical.

“Well, that happens,” he said. “He may just circle around and come back.”

Or not.

If locals find a wood duck with a silver band on his leg, they are asked to contact Weeshoff at weeshoff@sbcglobal.net.

Maybe it’s just as well the duck didn’t end up at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden during the tenure of Mark Wourms.

Wourms – who now seems likely to be succeeded by former Descanso Gardens executive director Richard Schulhof – had his own way of tending waterfowl.

“A reputation preceded Mark Wourms when he was named to lead the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden: goose killer,” according to Home and Garden, September 2004. “In the summer of 2002, as director of the Kansas City Zoo, he cut short a population explosion of Canada geese by rounding up 300 of them for slaughter at a local poultry plant, then organizing distribution of their plucked and cleaned carcasses to the poor.”

Oops. One of the two missing hikers who were rescued last Monday in Eaton Canyon after a 12-hour helicopter search reportedly brought a cell phone with him – but left it in a van belonging to fellow hiker, officials said.

From the Chamber of Commerce … “Bar Celona in Old Pasadena hosts a Pink Slip Party on the 4th Wednesday ofevery month from 6to 9p.m. … Pink slipped? Join others who have lost their jobs to network, find employment leads and enjoy Bar Celona’s excellent fare.”